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Finally have a birth year watch.. VC QP 43031
For nearly a decade, I have had romantic notions of embarking on the quest to find an appropriate birth year watch. At long last... I think I can put an end to this. The year in question is 1984 -- and since my interest in watches started from the Submariner and Speedmaster, I naturally kicked off from that starting point. It was a transitional year for the Submariner and for the Speedmaster... well, just nothing significant. I continued to search for watches in 1984 and came across many beautiful watches. Just nothing that seemed to have enough "meaning" for me.
Over the last 18 months, I'd been reading more about neo vintage watches and was interested in the offerings from AP, VC and PP. Specifically, their perpetual calendar watches; with AP introducing their QP in 1978, VC in 1983 and PP in 1985. In the dawning era of quartz watches, it felt like the rebellion's move to introduce ultra-thin, automatic perpetual calendars.
I am certain there are experts in here who can guide me further and explain what I have just bought, but what initially attracted me to this watch was the extract of archives dating it to 1984. This is an early "Swiss" only dial with a champagne dial (which is also more visually attractive to me). I understand that later versions had several variations which includes "sigma Swiss sigma", "Automatic" and addition of the Maltese cross (amongst other small details). Also, with VC, the 1120QP (which is a JLC 920 ébauche with Depraz perpetual calendar module) displays a 48 month sub-dial that also tracks leap year (unlike the AP 25657 equivalent which shares many similar underpinnings). This is the less conventional display of a perpetual calendar but, if I'm not mistaken, this difference also results in a slightly slimmer watch.
Of course, I was also keen on the fact that production numbers were small; an estimated of just 2,300 perpetual calendar watches over 23 years (1983 to 2006) of production -- nearly 3x less than both AP and PP. My grail birth year watch is actually the VC 43032 (skeletonized version of the same watch, produced by VC from 1984) but with today's astronomical prices, I simply have to be realistic
Thank you for taking the time to read. It is a little past 2am here and I am still processing this... but I have a feeling I'll fall asleep soon with a smile on my face.
Over the last 18 months, I'd been reading more about neo vintage watches and was interested in the offerings from AP, VC and PP. Specifically, their perpetual calendar watches; with AP introducing their QP in 1978, VC in 1983 and PP in 1985. In the dawning era of quartz watches, it felt like the rebellion's move to introduce ultra-thin, automatic perpetual calendars.
I am certain there are experts in here who can guide me further and explain what I have just bought, but what initially attracted me to this watch was the extract of archives dating it to 1984. This is an early "Swiss" only dial with a champagne dial (which is also more visually attractive to me). I understand that later versions had several variations which includes "sigma Swiss sigma", "Automatic" and addition of the Maltese cross (amongst other small details). Also, with VC, the 1120QP (which is a JLC 920 ébauche with Depraz perpetual calendar module) displays a 48 month sub-dial that also tracks leap year (unlike the AP 25657 equivalent which shares many similar underpinnings). This is the less conventional display of a perpetual calendar but, if I'm not mistaken, this difference also results in a slightly slimmer watch.
Of course, I was also keen on the fact that production numbers were small; an estimated of just 2,300 perpetual calendar watches over 23 years (1983 to 2006) of production -- nearly 3x less than both AP and PP. My grail birth year watch is actually the VC 43032 (skeletonized version of the same watch, produced by VC from 1984) but with today's astronomical prices, I simply have to be realistic
Thank you for taking the time to read. It is a little past 2am here and I am still processing this... but I have a feeling I'll fall asleep soon with a smile on my face.
1984!
My birth year as well, so I am massively biased coming into this conversation 
. What a phenomenal piece from VC, I couldn't imagine a better choice myself.... And yes, I totally agree with you that the sublime skeletonized version would truly be a grail for me as well.... Nevertheless, a brilliant choice. Wear it with pride and enjoyment!! Cheers to 1984, Filip
. What a phenomenal piece from VC, I couldn't imagine a better choice myself.... And yes, I totally agree with you that the sublime skeletonized version would truly be a grail for me as well.... Nevertheless, a brilliant choice. Wear it with pride and enjoyment!! Cheers to 1984, Filip
I'd pick that as well
Definitely a sucker for a nice VC. Birth year is intriguing, I had wanted a birth year porsche 930 but not sure I want the hassle of an old turbo 🤷♂️
I don't know if I would venture into old motors
But what do I know, having bought two old E36s from the 90s...
So wait, you bought two 1984 VC Perpetual Calendars?
Congrats! Now, make sure you get a birth year case of nice wine (probably a case of nice Californian Cabernet Sauvignon Napa wine and a nice French Bordeaux First Growth wine). Some people who are really into cars even try to get a birth year car (one friend got a birth year Mercedes 600 as he already had two Porsches) - I don't recommend this - I think this is silly - the modern cars are so much better! Big congrats and thank you for sharing your journey with us. Happy Birthday!
I wish!
VC 43032 belongs to a friend; had the good fortune of trying it on Q3 last year. It cemented my opinion that it wore a little bit better than the AP 25657/8 which has shorter lugs). I don't really drink wine, so that would be wasted on me, but cars... I love how older cars sound ;-)
No worries on the wine!
I see you like McLaren. All I can say is that I really like the Lamborghini Huracan - so easy to drive, so reliable, and thrilling sound. As for cars - not a lot of cars I'd want from 1984 personally. Ferrari Testarossa? A Lamborghini Countach is probably too expensive now. I'm no longer a big fan of the Porsche 911 like I used to be. Hmm... Gotta think hard... What's a 1984 car that I'd want... Hmm... The problem here is that modern cars are so darn good...
I agree; modern cars are better (and perhaps too fast)...
...but I'm a romantic and there's charm with older cars.
In 1984, it would be the era of Porsche's 930 so for me... 911 Turbo Flachbau.
In 1984, it would be the era of Porsche's 930 so for me... 911 Turbo Flachbau.
Ahh! A stunning choice!
Yes, the 930 era is very nice. Although rear engined cars are definitely tricky to drive sometime. I still don't know how to drive them properly, and when someone shows me how to take a corner, I still have that instinct that he's stepping on the gas way too early. Hit the gas before the apex? I just can't get my head around that part! And then I probably lose half a second a lap PER CORNER!
It’s quite a feat to find a birth year watch.
And then to find one that is so exquisite. Congratulations.
I am madly in love with the skeleton version! Well done, mon ami. Enjoy and congrats.
Thank you very much!
And yes the skeletonized version is phenomenal, even the one from AP is fantastic!
I have the same approach of patrick
Why should somebody want a 1984 car?
The only cars i want from 1984 are Honda’s, but i like from any year Honda’s.
More bad, nineties cars.
Which i like are from 2001 till today.
Older cars are more separate over the years, like a BMW 5 series from 1987, Fiat 131 from 1980, Honda S2000 from 2000, Honda NSX from 1992, Porsche 911 from 2012, LaFerrari from 2018, Citroën DS 23 from 1972, Dodge Challenger from 2006, Chrystler Satelite from 1970, Chevrolet Impala 59, AMC Javelin, Porsche 928, Ford 34.
No birth year and birthday watch for me. I like my birth year, but i have no clue why i must like things and products more that where produced in my birth year?
Things are just things, family, pets and health comes first.
The only cars i want from 1984 are Honda’s, but i like from any year Honda’s.
More bad, nineties cars.
Which i like are from 2001 till today.
Older cars are more separate over the years, like a BMW 5 series from 1987, Fiat 131 from 1980, Honda S2000 from 2000, Honda NSX from 1992, Porsche 911 from 2012, LaFerrari from 2018, Citroën DS 23 from 1972, Dodge Challenger from 2006, Chrystler Satelite from 1970, Chevrolet Impala 59, AMC Javelin, Porsche 928, Ford 34.
No birth year and birthday watch for me. I like my birth year, but i have no clue why i must like things and products more that where produced in my birth year?
Things are just things, family, pets and health comes first.
Even if I'm way too old to reply to this thread (😂), let me congratulate you on an exquisite new entry! A real gem, full of charm and history like your brand of choice for this special piece! Enjoy thoroughly ;-)
I appreciate the kind comment!
An unorthodox choice, given what I currently have in the watchbox, but I am very glad I made this step!
1984 - birth year book - take George Orwell
and congrats on an absolutely stunning piece from an era, when "mass production" was probably unheard of at VC. Enjoy!
congrats on choice a lovely 43031
given ref first released by VC late 83 i think finding any platinum version 43031 or 43032 from 84 going to be a big challenge given such as small proportion of production back then. most complications in 80s even really until mid to late 90s people wanted gold.
re thin both the first vc43031 and ap5548 7.2mm so dont think diff perpetual module impacts thickness.
re thin both the first vc43031 and ap5548 7.2mm so dont think diff perpetual module impacts thickness.
